Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Derek Carr vs Jameis WinstonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derek Carr is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 15.8 PPG to Jameis Winston's 10.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Derek Carr is the better fantasy play this season.

Derek Carr has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 4.9-PPG advantage is real (15.8 to 10.9), and Derek Carr's 23 touchdowns show scoring upside. Jameis Winston is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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QBNew Orleans Saints#99PPG LEADER

Derek Carr

PPG

15.8

Games

Pass Yds

3,428

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

105

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 12

QBCleveland Browns#99

Jameis Winston

PPG

10.9

Games

Pass Yds

2,125

Pass TDs

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Derek Carr

Jameis Winston

Head to Head

15.8 PPG10.9 PPG

15 GP10 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Derek Carr: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Jameis Winston: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Derek Carr is producing at 72% of elite pace and Jameis Winston at 50%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Derek Carr vs Jameis Winston: The Full Breakdown

Derek Carr and Jameis Winston are both viable fantasy quarterbacks heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. Derek Carr averaged 15.8 PPG across 15 games with the New Orleans Saints, while Jameis Winston posted 10.9 PPG in 10 appearances for the Cleveland Browns.

A 4.9-PPG gap gives Derek Carr the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Derek Carr threw for 3428 yards and 22 touchdowns, while Jameis Winston posted 2125 yards and 13 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

One scheduling note: Derek Carr is off Week 12 and Jameis Winston Week 10. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in quarterback for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Derek Carr at a discount because your league-mates undervalue quarterback production, do it. Jameis Winston is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Derek Carr (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Jameis Winston (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons.

Did You Know?

•Derek Carr outscored Jameis Winston by a projected 83 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derek Carr played 15 games in 2025 compared to Jameis Winston's 10. That durability gap means Derek Carr contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Derek Carr scored 23 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Derek Carr vs Jameis Winston: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Derek Carr	Jameis Winston
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.8	10.9
Games Played	15	10
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	237	109
Passing Yards	3,428	2,125
Passing TDs	22	13
Pass Yds/Game	228.5	212.5
Rushing Yards	105	45
Rushing TDs	1	1
Total TDs	23	14
TDs/Game	1.5	1.4
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 10

Summary

Derek Carr outscored Jameis Winston by 4.9 PPG in 2025 (15.8 to 10.9). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Derek Carr or Jameis Winston in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derek Carr has the edge at 15.8 PPG compared to Jameis Winston's 10.9 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Derek Carr and Jameis Winston average in 2025?▾

Derek Carr averaged 15.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Jameis Winston averaged 10.9 PPG over 10 games. That is a difference of 4.9 points per game.

When are Derek Carr and Jameis Winston's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Derek Carr (NO) has a bye in Week 12, and Jameis Winston (CLE) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Derek Carr or Jameis Winston a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Derek Carr outscored Jameis Winston by 4.9 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.